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LONDON (AFP) — Great Britain set a new world record in qualifying for the men’s team pursuit at the Olympic Velodrome Thursday.

Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas combined to clock 3:52.499 for the 16-lap, 4km event, beating their own record of 3:53.295 set in Melbourne in April. The men’s team pursuit continues on Friday with the first elimination round and the finals.

The top eight teams qualify for the first round of the competition. The top two teams in the first round qualify for the
gold medal match while the next two fastest will battle for bronze.

Australia, regarded as Britain’s closest rivals, finished second fastest in 3:55.694 — well behind the 3:51 that many team
coaches have said will be required to win Olympic gold.

New Zealand qualified third in 3:57.607, Denmark fourth in 3:58.298 and Russia fifth in 3:59.265. Completing the top eight were Spain, Colombia and the Netherlands.